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American mastodon mitochondrial genomes suggest multiple dispersal events in response to Pleistocene climate oscillations

Author

Listed:
  • Emil Karpinski

    (McMaster University
    McMaster University)

  • Dirk Hackenberger

    (McMaster University
    McMaster University)

  • Grant Zazula

    (Government of Yukon
    Canadian Museum of Nature)

  • Chris Widga

    (East Tennessee State University)

  • Ana T. Duggan

    (McMaster University
    McMaster University)

  • G. Brian Golding

    (McMaster University)

  • Melanie Kuch

    (McMaster University)

  • Jennifer Klunk

    (McMaster University
    Arbor Biosciences)

  • Christopher N. Jass

    (Royal Alberta Museum)

  • Pam Groves

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Patrick Druckenmiller

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks
    University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Blaine W. Schubert

    (East Tennessee State University)

  • Joaquin Arroyo-Cabrales

    (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia)

  • William F. Simpson

    (Field Museum of Natural History)

  • John W. Hoganson

    (North Dakota Geological Survey)

  • Daniel C. Fisher

    (University of Michigan)

  • Simon Y. W. Ho

    (University of Sydney)

  • Ross D. E. MacPhee

    (American Museum of Natural History)

  • Hendrik N. Poinar

    (McMaster University
    McMaster University
    McMaster University)

Abstract

Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles are correlated with dramatic temperature oscillations. Examining how species responded to these natural fluctuations can provide valuable insights into the impacts of present-day anthropogenic climate change. Here we present a phylogeographic study of the extinct American mastodon (Mammut americanum), based on 35 complete mitochondrial genomes. These data reveal the presence of multiple lineages within this species, including two distinct clades from eastern Beringia. Our molecular date estimates suggest that these clades arose at different times, supporting a pattern of repeated northern expansion and local extirpation in response to glacial cycling. Consistent with this hypothesis, we also note lower levels of genetic diversity among northern mastodons than in endemic clades south of the continental ice sheets. The results of our study highlight the complex relationships between population dispersals and climate change, and can provide testable hypotheses for extant species expected to experience substantial biogeographic impacts from rising temperatures.

Suggested Citation

  • Emil Karpinski & Dirk Hackenberger & Grant Zazula & Chris Widga & Ana T. Duggan & G. Brian Golding & Melanie Kuch & Jennifer Klunk & Christopher N. Jass & Pam Groves & Patrick Druckenmiller & Blaine W, 2020. "American mastodon mitochondrial genomes suggest multiple dispersal events in response to Pleistocene climate oscillations," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-17893-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17893-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Tobias Andermann & Caroline A. E. Strömberg & Alexandre Antonelli & Daniele Silvestro, 2022. "The origin and evolution of open habitats in North America inferred by Bayesian deep learning models," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.

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